Overview
Botswana offers a stable, investor-friendly environment for entrepreneurs and companies looking to start or expand their businesses. Whether you're a local entrepreneur or a foreign investor, the government has streamlined processes to make business registration faster, more transparent, and accessible.
This guide walks you through the step-by-step procedures, requirements, costs, and agencies involved in starting a business in Botswana.
Types of Business Entities
- Sole Proprietorship: Owned by a single individual, simple registration.
- Partnership: Two or more individuals operating a business together.
- Private Limited Company (Pty) Ltd: The most common for investors; separate legal entity from owners.
- Public Limited Company (PLC): A larger entity that can raise capital through public shares.
- Non-Profit Organisation: For charitable and non-commercial entities.
Business Registration Process
- Name Reservation: Submit a business name application via CIPA (1-2 days, Cost: P20).
- Company Incorporation: Register business online at www.cipa.co.bw (2-7 days, Cost: P360-P1000 based on entity type).
- Tax Registration: Register for tax identification with the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS).
- Trade License Application: Required for certain businesses (see Trade & Business License Application).
- Opening a Business Bank Account: Business must have a corporate account to operate legally.
Required Documents
Passport
Proof of Identity
Company Profile
Banking Details
Cost
Process | Cost (BWP) |
Name Reservation | 20 |
Company Registration | 360 - 1000 |
Tax Registration | Free |
Total Estimated Cost | 380 - 1020 BWP |
Estimated cost of registering a company
Duration
Process | Duration (Days) |
Name Reservation and Approval | 1 - 2 |
Company Registration and Approval | 2 - 7 |
Tax Registration and Approval | 1 |
Total Duration | 4 - 10 days |
Approval durations in days
Expected Result
Certificate of Incorporation
Contact Information
FOR CIPA (Main Office)
+267 367 3700
Plot 181, BOCRA Building, Gaborone, Botswana
FOR BURS (Main Office)
+267 390 1210
Private Bag 0013, Gaborone, Botswana